Papers Books

This book has a ton of photos and is so tiny! It's like having your own diary about them. It says all sorts of stuff about there lives and what they do in there free time. AHHHHH. I love it!

When I read this book I was like cool. I was so into this book I finished this book in one day. the pictures are great and justin oh my god he is so hott! that is why I got engaged to him.

I just got done reading this book. It was great, it had all this new stuff about N Sync I didn't even know!!!@ It was great I would recommened anyone to read it!!!

I have to say this is a great little book. I don't want to give too much away because the element of surprise is always the best. What you see is what you get. I love it so much, it made me laugh and I'm getting a second copy of it for my collection. If you are a serious NSYNC Fan this is a must have. NSYNC FOREVER, Love you guys!

Cannot go wrong with the art book about Chinese art. It's an excellent one, used a lot as a textbook both by university art teachers as well as teachers of Chinese culture and history.

It is difficult to write "Short History of Chinese Arts". Suppose that an honest scholar start preparing his lecture note of " Chinese Arts", he shall struggle with selecting subjects and plates. Moreover, for example, he feels that he be an expert on ancient bronzes, and a beginner of export wares in 17th century. Leaving the purgatory, he would want help to a standard textbook.

Among English books, this noted book may have used in many college courses. 1st edition(1967) and The revised edition(1973) were welcomed by many students and scholars. Even a japanese translation had been popular for many years. In this 4th edition, 84 old respectable scholar still attracts me with lucid style.

For beginners, this should be a good introduction. Appreciating artifacts in Museum, finding something in antique shop, or reading books/papers/articles about a particular subject, it needs some elementary background knowledge for chinese arts and history. This offers such COMMON SENSE.

For experienced scholars, this is an interesting reading. This might look a mean textbook for them. Before reading, I minded I become tired for many facts already learned, but I enjoy this book even in commute train, although this edition format is too large. Because not only this is Readable for a japanese, but also gives many (sometimes implicit) skeptical suggestions. At 258p, about Wan Hui (1632-1677, painter), "The Palace Museum collection also contains a number of clever pastiches of tenth-century and Northen Song landscapes that are almost certainly his work"; keen insight!.

I should regretfully notice that some illustrations/items might be inadequate, blurred, or damaged. I hope that they will be changed at next chance.

The colour illustrations in this book are lovely to behold. Many show restored artifacts from China's long history. Vases, stoneware, flasks, paintings, handscrolls and much more. From the paintings, you can see where the traditional misty style of Chinese landscape paintings arose. There are even genres, like bamboo painting. Just like the Europeans developed portraits of horses and landed gentry.

Naturally, there is also extensive coverage of porcelain plates and containers. Beautifully decorated. The items that the Europeans would call "china"; so close was the identification of the objects with China itself.

But more than just objects, the narrative also gives insight into the various Chinese dynasties from which these arose. And also the provinces, like Jiangsu and Anhui, that were artistic centers.

The book, The Arts of China, was book I needed to purchase for a college level Asian Art History class focused on China. Each chapter was divided into dynasties and within each chapter sections were written on: background history, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, and other various topics. There are lovely color pictures with high resolution, which are an essential to any student or scholar studying this art. The writing is clear and even enjoyable. I'd highly reccommend this book!

Lady Gregory has written a very precise and easily read translation of some of the best of Irish mythology. Originally written at the turn of the ninetteenth century it still holds today.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Celtic mythology and lore.

The works of Lady Gregory are the best way to get a pure taste of the original Irish Myths - unless you are fluent in Gaelic and can get a hold of older copies. Lady Gregory's elequent speech and style breathes life into Ireland's forgotten Heroes and Gods!

Gods and Fighting Men is an excellent resource because it preserves the lore from the Book of Invasions as well as other sources -- the legends of the earliest inhabitants of Ireland, the coming of the Tuatha De Danaan (The People of Dana) and the stories of Finn MacCumhail.

What is portrayed as "Early Irish Mythology" 99% of the time actually isn't -- the dozens of translations of The Tain, albeit worthy reading, are actually the lore of Ulster, a single Irish province. This makes it Ulster Mythology (regional) more than Irish Mythology (national).

The legends of the Tuatha De Danaan are essential for a comprehensive understanding of Irish mythology, actually comprising the majority of the Mythological Cycle, and deal with the initial settling of all of Ireland.

Unfortunately, it seems to be modern New Age reconstructions of the Mythological Cycle rather than the native stories that seem to be infusing themselves into the mainstream, and that is sad.

In my mind, the Mythological Cycle is the most important cycle in Irish mythology, because it sets up the scenario for all that is to follow. The Fenian Cycle (legends of Finn MacCumhail and his warband) are fascinating not only for their strong associations with Nature, but also for the fact that the stories are well-known both in Ireland and in the Scottish Highlands. The Gods still walked and resided on (or in) the Earth and interacted often with mortals. Magic was all around.

The Tain, on the other hand, is more a time of towns and forts and war-chariots; a time when magic was less present and people were less intertwined with Nature than in the Golden Age. The Gods had already departed our realm and only made brief cameos in the stories.

In summary, Gods and Fighting Men is the actual collection of Irish Mythology from the earliest legends. It affects all of Ireland and the stories are fairly widespread throughout the Gaelic world. Lady Gregory wrote these translations with a view to retain the native Irish sense of story-telling; this she achieved remarkably well.

My one concern is that it would have been nice for Lady Gregory to have cited her sources for each story. I know that in many cases she blended versions from several sources to produce what she saw as the purest form of the story, but a simple listing of these would have been fantastic from an academic standpoint.

Overall this is probably the greatest collection of Irish Mythology I have found so far, albeit Lady Gregory's focus was primarily as storyteller rather than academic (this is not a bad thing -- dry, stale translations of Irish lore would have been extremely anti-Irish in themselves).

This should probably be the FIRST book one reads of Irish Mythology. I highly recommend this book and the fact that it is value-priced definitely doesn't hurt, either. This book is definitely worth several times its cost.

Happy Reading!

Lady Gregory faithfully renders old Irish stories into a form that we clods that only speak English can understand. She does not, however, make them more prosaic, or fix them into what we normally find as our story format! They are true to the original structures of the genre, and are much more lively and fun for that. My wife places them firmly in the nature of Irish legend, which she calls "We went over there and stole their cow!" (Tain Bo Cuailnge is basically a story of a cow theft, and is one of the most famous stories of Irish legend). I love the split style, and it does give the reader a good understanding of the way stories were related in the old days. A must for those who want to know where some of the ancient Irish names derive!

What a wonderful story! I was amazed that the author is a man. The character of Sheila Redden is so believable and your sympathy is with her even though she is about to leave her son. Ordinarily that would lose me as far as any compassion is concerned. I really enjoy Mr. Moore's style of writing and plan on reading all of his other books.

Wonderfully romantic reading, but not sappy or "unreal"......I loved this book from page one until the end.........a woman's awakening to her life. Highly recommend it.

Wow! What a book! I don't usually read romance novels, and I'm still unsure as to what compelled me to buy this one. But whatever the reason, I'm glad I did!

Had someone handed me this book to read, stripped of its cover thus leaving me no clue as to whom had written it, never in a million years would I have guessed the author to be a man!
Brian Moore should be commended for his impressive ability at bringing to life the totally believable female character portrayed in this book. Few male writers can successfully execute on paper such a vivid and candid depiction of a middle-aged woman in turmoil--the revealing of her innermost thoughts about herself and the world around her as she grapples with the sensitive issues of aging and sexuality.

Anticipating her husband's arrival in France to celebrate their second honeymoon, Sheila Redden dreams of rekindling the passions and excitement once present in their stale, sixteen-year marriage. However, disillusioned by his many excuses for not showing up to meet her, Sheila soon becomes painfully aware that her husband's busy schedule with tending patients takes precedence over her happiness. Lonely and deeply hurt, Sheila does what I guess many emotionally-neglected wives would do--she has an affair. I don't think that she intentionally went out looking to get laid--it was just something that happened quite naturally given the vulnerable state of mind she was in at the time. What starts out as a seemingly innocent enough chat with a handsome young American in a Paris diner, suddenly magnifies into something far more serious. Riddled with guilt, yet driven by the desire to walk away from her loveless marriage in favor of a more independent life, Sheila confesses to her husband (over the phone!) that she is in love with another man. What follows Sheila's confession is an unexpected train of events that will drastically change the lives of all of those she touches.

As I've said before--Wow! What a book! This is one of those
'once upon a time' fairy tale romances, but one in which no one at the end rides off into the sunset happily ever after.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to just kick back and enjoy a good ole' fashioned, brilliantly-written romance novel. But be forewarned--some of the lovemaking scenes are quite explicit.

TWO THUMBS UP FOR THIS THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE NOVEL!

Smart, quiet, shy, too tall, Sheila had never been on her own. She went from dependence on her parents to dependence on a husband. After 15 years of marriage, a long-planned 2nd honeymoon sets into motion the chain of events which leads her away from her safe, ordered, boring existence, and awakens a desire for autonomy.

Moore's cool, precise, detached prose steers the reader through an emotional storm. If anything, this coolness enhances the intensely erotic scenes in the story. As always with Brian Moore, the tale seems to be driven by its own internal workings, and the personalities of its characters. Yet the ending is neither staid nor predictable. You will not be able to put this book down easily, or to put it out of your mind until long after you have finished reading it.

The Night Before Christmas is a classic and an absolute must read for holidays. I saw this book in a local bookshop and immediately picked it up. I can't get over how gorgeous this book is. Each illustration and cuts are done with great detail and the negative space that's created by the cut papers are magnificent. I gave it to my family and friends for Christmas and they absolutely loved it. Not recommended for young kids as cut-outs are delicate. But it is something that one might want to keep for collection and continue to cherish over the holidays.

I collect Night Before Christmas books. I found this one a few days ago at a children's store. It is so incredibly beautiful. It has silhouettes, cut-outs, and ends with an insanely beautiful pop-up. I love kids but this is not a book for children -- it is a masterpiece - a work of art -- read it to your kids but then save it for yourself!

This new Night Before Christmas has the look and feel of a Victorian Christmas. The lillustrations are Arthur Racham inspired and make this so much more than a children's Christmas book. Buy you kids one and them one for yourself and one for each of your friends! They will be love it...

I collect The night before Christmas books, and this one is lovely. The black cutouts are dramatic. Wouldn't recommend it for young children; too easy to tear.

This delightful book covers the full gamut of emotions. A myriad of topics ranging from flatulence to world events are covered in this book. This is Donna Williams, uncensored and ready to disclose her brilliant insights and gems of wisdom and humor. Gems like this should put to rest the misperception that people with autism are incapable of seeing beyond the literal and are incapable of using metaphoric language. If you want to climb the mountain into the world beyond the neurotypical, then join us in reading this treasure.

From surreal to hilarious, the collection in Not Just Anything is as diverse and disclosing as all of Donna Williams' autobiographical collection put together. From farting to terrorism, from merging with objects to mania, from explorations of psychopathy to celebrations of eccentrics, Donna Williams holds back from nothing here. For anyone who likes to dip into another world, here is the dipping pool.

These poems affected me, touched me, sometimes made me chuckle. They are full of the creativity and inspiration for life that is Donna Williams. In other words, they are another installment in the Donna Williams autobiography series though told episodically, and more sensingly. The book is a journey of feeling, quite an experience.

If you can get your hands on this book, and if you read only one book by Donna Williams, read this one.

This is a collection of poems, stories, paintings, and photographs. It's very uneven -- some of them are great, and some of them are just kind of there. Some of them are silly and humorous, others are serious and frightening or uplifting.

My only complaint, if I had one, would be that some of the poems -- like "The Loft", and "The Mountain" -- contain ideas of a sort of compartmentalized nature that I find unfortunate, especially since she applies some of these hierarchies of understanding to all autistic people in her later books. But the other poems more than make up for this.

My personal favorites include "Cat's Cat", "Simply Be", "Chortle", and "Enemy Lines", among others.

"Cat's Cat" is a combination poem/short story about a cat. What I like about it can be summed up well in the last line -- "'Cat's Cat,' said Cat, in Cat." The cat's perspective on the "blob" who lives with and takes care of him is both amusing and real. "Simply Be" reads almost like a prayer or a plea. "Chortle" is a funny poem about the arrogance and snobbery of a person going on about his fancy toilets. "Enemy Lines" is a darker poem about living in a hostile environment.

These poems show the variation of topics in this book, but really you'd have to read it. It describes emotions and experiences I've yet to see described so clearly elsewhere. Some people seem to love this book and some seem to hate it, but I like it a lot, despite its flaws and unevenness. It's definitely, in my opinion, her best book, and possibly the best (or close to the best) book of poetry by an autistic person. It's about a whole lot more than autism, but many autistic people find it speaks to us directly.

Brom stacks up as one of the most brilliant fantasy artists working today, and this book shows why. Within you will find beautiful maidens, dastardly villains, valiant heroes, vile beasts, and all manner of other characters fair and foul - each and every one of them marked with the twisted vision of Brom. Brom's art has the ability to send a chill down your spine no matter what image you might happen to be looking at - there is almost always an element of the unsettling in a Brom painting, of impending doom or contagion, and every painting yields something new to look at with each viewing. Another quality inherent in Brom's work is his ability to make the viewer wonder about his images, and construct stories around his characters in his head - you may find yourself engrossed as you construct motivations, origins, and storylines as you flip through this book. Those looking for an excellent book of fantasy art with just the right twinge of horror would well to pick up "Offerings."

This book is truly amazing and Brom has outdone himself again. The paintings are very interesting and depict situations that my mind would have never discovered on its own. One word of caution... though this is great art, it is women unfriendly. What I mean by this is that the females are generally depicted in painful situations that seem to take away from their beauty. I would highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to view dark and powerful fantasy settings and people/creatures. Amazing work!

This is Broms second book, his artwork is more mature than that in Darkwerks and perhaps a little less immediate, but never take a Brom picture at face value, even the classically beautiful images have something unpleasant lurking in the background. Fans of Brom will be glad to know that is more of the excellent, if somewhat disturbed work of perhaps the best fantasy illustrator working today. BUY IT !!

This is a good collection of Brom's art... but if you are thinking of buying a Brom book... buy 'Darkwerks' before you buy this book.

The art in this collection is more mature and refined in comparison with Brom's Darkwerks collection, but is lacking in quantity and the spontaniety of his card art.

He is one of the few artists who rarely uses reference material whilst painting. This approach is evident due to the fact that a lot of the figures have comic-book figure proportions -- which is admirable in this day in age where painters trace from photos.

Verdict: Buy Brom's Darkwerks first, buy this after.
Reviewed by Harrison Chua

With fine, deft strokes, renowned poet-translator Leza Lowitz skewers her topics, either stimulating or anaesthetizing. Ranging the world of her own travels and psyche, she has the gift of a good poet to irritate when she pricks our sacred cows, to alarm when she rings the warning bell, and to arouse our humane sympathy when she draws near to our common causes.

...typify this poet's work. Without sentimentality, she travels to a very personal place and makes it universal; makes it matter. Whether it be a poem about a lover, politics, an ancient place and its resonances, or the evocation of a memory, Lowitz brings her gift to bear without pretense or self-consciousness. This is a poet to watch and to listen to. Her poems haunt and elucidate, they teach and inspire. Old Ways to Fold New Paper is a revelation. I return to it time and again.

Leza Lowitz writes poetry that is never self-conscious, always full of grace and simplicity, with just the right dosage of details. And the details are evocative, their landscapes of Japan, of childhood, of womanhood. I look forward to her future work, and further travel with this gifted poet.

As someone who doesn't really like or "get" poetry in general, I found Leza Lowitz's //Old Ways to Fold/New Paper/// to be a revelation. The poems have a tremendous power that seems to have to do mainly with the poet's voice--there is something about the rhythm of the lines and the honesty of the sentiments that makes it seem as if the words are emerging straight from the unconscious. Pictures are painted in my mind that make me feel as if I'm actually experiencing what the poet describes. I find myself thinking, "so THIS is poetry," and taking the time to read other contemporary poets--but without really finding, as yet, anyone else who conveys that quality to me. I will keep trying, however, and hope to see more of Ms. Lowitz's work in the future--she may make a poetry lover out of me yet.

Along with Elia Kazan, who called Clurman a masterful director possessing the greatest mind he ever saw, Harold Clurman built a peerless career in American Theatre. Present here is his advice to all directors, that new (really only invented in the latter part of the 19th century)creature of the world's oldest art form. Clurman displays his analytical abilities certainly in discribing script breakdowns and picturalization, but he also reveals a real understanding of human nature. His advice on how to deal with problems and crises that always appear during a production prove most sagelike. Purchase this along with William Ball's superlative "A Sense Of Direction" along with William Converse's textbook "Directing For The Stage" to create a most helpful library for any director.

I read Harold Clurman's book 25 years ago when I first started directing theatre, and I return to it now. I still find it fun to read, highly informational, insightful, true. I recommend it to anyone starting out as a director, and I recommend returning to it again and again. Without Harold Clurman's insightful book on directing, I daresay I may never have felt at home in the theatre. He takes you there, shows you how to thrive there, and you want to stay.

ON DIRECTING
By Harold Clurman

Clurman's On Directing has the simplicity of an introductory text, and the virtue of a career's worth of wisdom. Highly readable, conversational, and amiable, the handbook explores the issues faced daily by a theatre director. What is the spine, or main through-line, or the play? How do the characters' objectives relate? How does one deal with a truculent actor? What is the role of the audience, and how much should the director consider them anyway? Should one direct with the eye or the ear? And what exactly is Method?

Clurman's book, though old, still rings true. He considers art and real estate, popular theatre and theories of the origin of drama in society. He has worked with some of the greatest artists of our time, and they turn up throughout the work: Marlon Brando, Elia Kazan, Lillian Hellman, Clifford Odets . . . the list goes on and on.

Although I majored in theatre and took a year long course in directing, I found Clurman's book refreshing and useful. At the same time, I am considering mailing a copy of it to my mother, a total theatre neophyte, so that she can understand the world I have chosen for my career. On Directing is a great book all around.

Harold Clurman, who has directed many successful plays in his time, shares with the reader some of his wit and wisdom. Clurman breaks down his "technique" chapter by chapter to give the reader his thoughts on character analysis, rehearsals, etc. This helpful book is a great read for aspiring directors, like myself, or anyone already working in the field. Clurman's humor is woven through the book through his use of anecdotes and examples.

An enjoyable, insightful read.

It was good interesting book. The way the characters feelings changed they were happy then sad. There names are Joel and Tony the book started to go to Starved Rock Park, but they didn't make it. I think it was one of the best books I ever read.

This used to be my favorite book when I was younger. I would recemend it to any kid whos in 4th or 5th grade. I am in 8th grade now but sometimes when I get bored i take out that book and start to read it agin.

I highly recommend purchasing both "On My Honor" AND "Whene'r you Make Promise" for your personal resource, OR your Service Unit Library! Both are beautifully illustrated, and great tools for learning about the history of scouting in the US. Younger girls appreciate dressing the dolls in their period Uniforms and dresses, older girls can also enjoy the personal stories included. Use these books to tie in the requirements for many patches andd badges such as "Brownie Girl Scouts Through The Years" and "Her Story" try-its, The "Juliette Low" patch, and the "Girl Scouting Through the Years" Junior Badge.No girl is ever too old for paper dolls, and these are a high quality product line! My girls particularly liked trying to imagine camping in such complicated underclothes, as well as comparing patches and awards to today's equivalents. These books deserve an "A".

For those who enjoy paper dolls, this collection is a classic.

Seven paper dolls and twelve uniforms are offered in the first of a five-part history of Girl Scout uniforms.

The text, written through diary entries, capsules the early years of scouting.

A bit of Americana worth collecting.